Clearly, the maritime industry is one of the most powerful drivers of international commerce and economic vitality in the world. • The worldwide fleet of marine containers - a transportation cargo unit that can hold up to 500 computer monitors - is nearly 11 million. • The European Union, which is the main trading partner for two thirds of the world, in 2001 exported EUR 981 billion and imported EUR 1,027 billion. • The global ocean-liner shipping industry owns approximately $155 billion in vessels, containers, marine terminals and other direct operating assets now in service around the world. • Almost 16 million Americans work in port-related jobs, producing $210 billion in federal, state and local taxes annually.
